Earlier this year when I was downsizing and moving into my new home there were certain things I knew I’d take with me. My antique sideboard was a must, so too of course were my two Maltese Poos, never mind that my yard wasn’t fenced, I knew I’d figure things out.

But you’d never guess the one thing I also refused to give up? My 5-inch, lush rosemary bush that grew wildly in a concrete trough on my front porch, and had survived every single herb that grew next to it, including bunches of basil, thyme and mint plants.

Rosemary is one of my favourite herbs, right up there with the deep love affair I have with turmeric, whose root  I swear is the reason why my once bad knees learned how to cope again with an abbeviated running schedule.

What I first knew about rosemary was  by instinct only. I always felt better when I brewed it in a teapot of hot water. My brain  felt more alert,  I felt I had more clarity by the time I reached the bottom of the cup.

Turns out I was right!

The litany of vitamins and minerals in rosemary is a long one. In The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth   (my newest Bible) rosemary gets the best rap. With compounds and oils  that include rosmarinic acid and essential oils such as cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, and α-pinene, there is  a ton of evidence that shows that the clarity I was feling was not all in my head.

Just like turmeric, rosemary provides a heap of  anti-inflammation properties. It is also contains a bunch of  anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties and  there is  ample evidence that it not only improves memory and has signifivant cognitive benefits but also helps fight cancer, thanks to the presence of  manganese.

And as if that wasn’t enough rosemary also has iron and potassium, fiber, copper, calcium, and magnesium, and an abundance of B vitamins. I think by now we can call it a magic herb.

How To Grow Your Rosemary Bush

In my previous home, I grew my rosemary in a shaded area that got tons of light but not too much direct sun. I could go away for weeks on end and come back and all it needed was water to get it looking healthy again.  Rosemary is  extremely hardy and  you can grow it indoors too, just make sure it has a lot of light and not too much humid air which is never a given our battle with Sahara Dust.

Master Making Fragrant Rosemary Oil 

As I showed you in the video having a cup of this brewed herb  may be soothing but nothing beats having a dinner party and drizzling your saled with a bottle of  infused oil you made yourself.

It’s easy to do.

Place a sprig or two of completely dry rosemary leaves into a glass jar, top with olive oil, replace the lid, and shake lightly. Store in a warm, dark place for two weeks, strain, and then simply pour back into the glass jar. For something extra add some  balsamic vinegar.

Here is a final observation about this magic herb. I’ve found that fresh tastes way  better tham dried and can be refrigerated in a Ziploc bag for several weeks.  Dried rosemary can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place to keep for several months.

 Enjoy the clarity you’ll get with this herb.